Gloria Beatty: Maybe it's just the whole world is like central casting. They got it all rigged before you ever show up.

- Jane Fonda (as Gloria) in They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969)

Alice: Somebody screamed.
Rocky: That was you, Alice.

- Gig Young (as Rocky) in They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969)

Rocky: I may not know a winner when I see one, but I sure as hell can spot a loser.

- Gig Young (as Rocky) in They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969)

Rocky: It isn't a contest. It's a show.

- Gig Young (as Rocky) in They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969)

Rocky: My father never made it out of the fourth grade. He knew people. But he didn't know his ass from his elbow. You know what he was? He was a faith healer. I used to travel the circut with him. I was the one he healed. I was the shill, to set the crowd up. "Walk, my boy. When I lay my hands on you, you will walk." You will walk. Sodden old bastard. He thought it was him they believed in, but it was me.

- Gig Young (as Rocky) in They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969)

Policeman: Let's go.
Policeman: Why did you do it, kid?
Robert: She asked me to.
Policeman: [smirking] Obliging bastard. Is that the only reason you got, kid?
Robert: They shoot horses, don't they?

- Michael Sarrazin (as Robert) in They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969)

Policeman: Why'd you do it, kid?
Robert: Because she asked me to.
Policeman: Obliging bastard. Is that the only reason you got, kid?
Robert: They shoot horses, don't they?

- Michael Sarrazin (as Robert) in They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969)

[final scene]
Robert: [standing outside looking at the ocean] I used to love to look at he ocean, walk by it, just sit and listen to it. Now I don't care if I ever see it again.
Gloria Beatty: That, or anything else.
Robert: What are you gonna do know? Try in the movies again?
Gloria Beatty: No. I'd never make it. And maybe it wouldn't make no difference, even if I did. Maybe it's just the whole damn world is like central casting: They got it all rigged before you ever show up.
Robert: I know what you mean. I know just what you mean.
Gloria Beatty: Do you?
Robert: What *are* you gonna do?
Gloria Beatty: I'm gonna get off this merry-go-round. I'm so sick of all sticky things.
Robert: What thing?
Gloria Beatty: Life. And don't give me no sunshine lectures!
Robert: I wasn't going to.
Gloria Beatty: Then what were you looking at me that way for?
Robert: I wasn't, I was just tryin to see you face.
Gloria Beatty: Well keep looking. And stick around for the end.
[She takes out a gun and tries to shot herself but is not able to do it]
Gloria Beatty: Help me! Oh please, *please*!
Robert: [He takes the gun] Tell me when.
Gloria Beatty: I'm ready.
Robert: [He holds the gun to her temple] Now?
Gloria Beatty: Now.
[He shoots her]

- Jane Fonda (as Gloria) in They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969)

[repeated line]
Rocky: Yowza! Yowza! Yowza!

- Gig Young (as Rocky) in They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969)

Rocky: Here they are again, folks! These wonderful, wonderful kids! Still struggling! Still hoping! As the clock of fate ticks away, the dance of destiny continues! The marathon goes on, and on, and on! HOW LONG CAN THEY LAST?

- Gig Young (as Rocky) in They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969)